Sudanese Christians are asking for prayer after a group of 12 believers were arrested on October 13th in Nyala, South Darfur. As the Christians were gathered together, officers from the National Intelligence and Security Services entered and asked if they were Christians. After confirming their faith, all the confessing believers were detained. Upon further interrogation, the three from a Christian background were released but not those who had converted from Islam.

Some of the destroyed remainsin the Niamey church.Photo: Barnabas Fund

For years, the small Christian minority in the west African nation of Niger has lived peacefully alongside the Muslim majority. In recent years, however, the rise of jihadist groups such as Boko Haram has led to an escalation in tension, including the destruction of church buildings and violent attacks on Christians.

While out on an errand for his grandmother on October 25th, 12-year-old Emmanuel Nyaiti encountered four men from his village. Knowing he was a Christian, the men tried to convince the boy that he should convert to Islam.

When Emmanuel refused, one of the men named Ali Lukuman slapped him. After the child started screaming, the men attempted to strangle him. There are also indications that he was given chloroform. By the time searching neighbours located him, the assailants had fled and the boy was found unconscious.